What is Bengaluru metro’s driverless train bought from a Chinese company Premium

The inaugural driverless prototype train for Bengaluru metro’s upcoming Yellow Line, a 19-km route linking R.V. Road and Bommasandra near Electronics City, is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

On February 14, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) received the first set of six train coaches, which arrived at the Hebbagodi metro depot from China and are now undergoing multiple tests.

The inaugural driverless prototype train for Bengaluru Metro’s upcoming Yellow Line, a 19 km route linking R.V. Road to Bommasandra near Electronics City, is anticipated to be operational by the end of this year.

The introduction of driverless trains on Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line is part of the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, also referred to as ‘driverless technology.’ This marks the first implementation of such technology on the Bengaluru metro.

Presently, Namma Metro utilizes the DTG (distance-to-go) signalling system. According to BMRCL officials, the implementation of CBTC will significantly decrease headway from the current two and a half minutes to as low as 90 seconds. While the trains are capable of autonomous operation, the BMRCL plans to deploy locomotive pilots to operate them initially.

The China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) factory in China obtained a ₹1,578-crore contract in 2019 to deliver 216 metro coaches to BMRCL. However, they were unable to fulfil the contract owing to not having established a manufacturing plant in India as stipulated.

This delayed the supply of metro trains to BMRCL. Earlier, the BMRCL had issued several notices to the CRRC, contemplating the encashment of its ₹372-crore bank guarantee. Presently, the Chinese company has partnered with Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons to supply the remaining coaches.

“Besides, Prototype Train for CBTC, one more prototype train with DTG Signalling is being supplied by CRRC, China. Balance 34 Train Sets (14 CBTC & 20 DTG) are manufactured in India at Titagarh Rail Systems Limited in West Bengal,” BMRCL official said.